DR BEN TAN (Medical Director)

Dr Ben Tan, BBM, PBM is the Medical Director of the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre (SSMC). He is concurrently the Head and Senior Consultant Sports Physician, Changi Sports Medicine Centre, Changi General Hospital (CGH). Prior to joining SSMC, Dr Tan practised Sports Medicine at the Sports Medicine and Research Centre, Singapore Sports Council (SSC) where he also established a comprehensive sports science service for our national athletes.

Dr Tan joined CGH in 2003 where he developed the Changi Sports Medicine Centre into Singapore's largest and most comprehensive facility, offering under one roof sports medicine, sports orthopaedics, sports physiotherapy, podiatry, sports nutrition, exercise testing and prescription, event medical coverage and a highly successful evidence-based weight management programme. He has done extensive research in Sports Medicine and Sports Science, having published numerous papers in international peer reviewed journals, and is Associate Editor of the Singapore Medical Journal. Dr Tan has also authored a popular weight management book for laymen.

Dr Tan is also well-known for his outstanding achievements in sailing, where he represented Singapore in the Laser Class in the 1996 Olympics, and won the Asian Games Gold Medal in 1994 and four consecutive SEA Games Gold Medals in 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1995. He was named Sportsman of the Year in 1991, 1994 and 1995, and appointed to the Sports Hall of Fame.

Dr Tan authored the Complete Introduction to Laser Sailing which is sold worldwide. The book has been translated into Mandarin, Japanese and Polish. In recognition of Dr Tan's outstanding contributions to Singapore, he was conferred the Public Service Medal (1993), Public Service Star (1995), the Singapore Youth Award (1995) and the NUS Outstanding Young Alumni Award (2006).

Dr Tan continues to contribute actively in the sporting arena both internationally and in Singapore. His various appointments include: Vice-Chairman of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Medical Commission; Chairman of Athletes' Commission, Singapore National Olympic Committee (SNOC); EXCO member of SNOC; Council Member of the Singapore Sports Council; Sports Patron of the Singapore Disability Sports Council; EXCO member of the Football Association of Singapore; Chairman of the Sports Safety Committee; and Resource Panel member of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).

Dr Tan graduated from the National University of Singapore with an MBBS in 1991. In 1997, he obtained the Master of Sports Medicine from the Australian Institute of Sport and University of Canberra.